. >> a short time ago president obama had this to say about nelson mandela from the white house. >> his journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings and countries can change for the better. his commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the lives of nations or our own personal lives. the fact that he did it all with grace and with humor and an ability to acknowledge his own imperfections only makes the man that much more remarkable. >> the president went on to say he didn't think it was likely we'd see mandela's like again. joining us now via telephone is former d.c. mayor, current council member marion barry who was i think you were mayor still when nelson mandela was released from prison in 1992. am i correct, mr. mayor? >> absolutely, derek. my relationship goes before then, one thanksgiving day we sat in at the south african embassy on massachusetts avenue starting a whole movement and on april 4th of thsame year out of that 5,000 d.c. government employees off on